Lancashire · England
Crack stitching in Lancashire
We carry out crack stitching across Lancashire, from the larger towns to smaller places nearby. Clay soils are found in parts of Lancashire. Every job starts with the cause, then the repair is specified to match it.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Area
- Lancashire
- Pricing region
- North West
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 20
What is the ground like in Lancashire?
Lancashire is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Burnley and Accrington coalfield in the east and soft coastal and estuarine ground on the Fylde. Old mill and mine sites leave made ground in many towns.
Parts of Lancashire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Lancashire: Stone and brick mill terraces, seaside villas in Blackpool and Lytham, and inter-war and post-war semis.
What to expect when we carry out crack stitching
Confirm the cause has stopped
Before quoting we check what made the wall crack and whether it is still moving. If there is doubt, we suggest a period of monitoring or an engineer’s view, rather than stitching a crack that will simply open again.
Repoint to match
The cut joints and crack are pointed in a mortar chosen to match the colour, texture and strength of the existing work. On older houses with soft bricks, a lime mortar is used so the repair does not trap moisture.
Make good and record
Internal plaster cracks are cut out and filled where included, and dust is cleared. You receive a short note of where the bars went, which is useful for future buyers, surveyors and any insurance file.
Is it time for crack stitching? Common signs
- A crack you can fit a coin into, running through bricks and mortar
- Stepped cracking beside a window, door or corner
- Bricks split clean through where the crack crosses them
- A crack visible on both the inside and outside face of the wall
What should you budget for crack stitching in Lancashire?
The ranges below reflect typical North West costs for crack stitching, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £75 – £175 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £335 – £480 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £30 – £60 | per metre |
Repair options we may recommend
Helical bars in resin grout
A resin grout bonds quickly and strongly to the bar and masonry and suits wet conditions or work that must take load sooner. It is less forgiving of soft or crumbly bricks, so the choice of grout is made wall by wall rather than as a rule.
Best for: Dense bricks, damp walls and repairs needing a fast cure
Helical bars in cementitious grout
The most common approach. A slot is cut along the bed joint with a twin-blade cutter, flushed out and part filled with a cement-based grout. The helical bar is pushed in, more grout is packed over it, and the joint is pointed to match. The grout cures over a few days.
Best for: Most brick and block walls, including older softer bricks
Stitching with crack injection
Once the bars are in, the crack itself is filled. Fine cracks are pointed in matching mortar, while wider or deeper cracks can be injected with grout so the void inside the wall is filled rather than just the face. On older houses, lime mortar keeps the repair breathable.
Best for: Deep cracks running through the full thickness of the wall
Do you need approval for crack stitching in England?
Like-for-like repairs such as crack stitching and repointing do not usually need building control approval in England, but anything that changes or strengthens the structure, such as underpinning or rebuilding a wall, does. If the work touches a party wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply.
Towns in Lancashire we cover for crack stitching
- Preston
- Burnley
- Blackburn
- Blackpool
- Morecambe
- Lancaster
- Lytham St Annes
- Skelmersdale
- Leyland
- Accrington
- Chorley
- Darwen
- Thornton-Cleveleys
- Nelson
- Fleetwood
- Ormskirk
- Rawtenstall
- Colne
- Poulton-le-Fylde
- Heysham
Your crack stitching questions
Is the ground in Lancashire prone to subsidence?
Lancashire is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Burnley and Accrington coalfield in the east and soft coastal and estuarine ground on the Fylde. Old mill and mine sites leave made ground in many towns. Parts of Lancashire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will crack stitching cost in Lancashire?
On North West rates, crack stitching starts from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Is resin or cement grout better for crack stitching?
Neither is better in every case. Cement-based grout suits most walls and is kinder to soft, older bricks, while resin grout bonds faster and copes better with damp. The choice depends on the masonry, the conditions and any engineer’s specification.
How long does crack stitching last?
Stainless steel bars do not rust, so a stitched repair in a stable wall should last as long as the surrounding brickwork. The repair only fails early when the wall keeps moving, which is why the cause is dealt with before the bars go in.
Can I stitch a crack myself?
It is possible on a small, stable crack, but the work involves cutting into joints with a twin-blade cutter, controlling silica dust and placing the bars correctly. If the crack is part of an insurance claim or is wide, have it assessed first, because a poor repair can hide ongoing movement.